Exploring the artistic treasures of the Yulin Caves

In the Yulin Caves in Guazhou County, northwest China's Gansu Province, two murals from the Western Xia Dynasty (1038-1227) are believed to contain two of the earliest depictions of the famous monkey monk, appearing at least 300 years before Wu Cheng'en's classic novel "Journey to the West”.

Carved into steep cliffs along the Yulin River Gorge, these caves encompass over 5,200 square meters of murals and more than 270 painted sculptures across 43 caves. The Yulin Caves are part of the same artistic complex as the renowned Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the region.